Vaccinations

Pet Vaccinations

Required Canine Vaccines

Rabies – A vaccination that is required by state government for both dogs and cats. Rabies is a viral disease that causes acute encephalitis in warm blooded animals. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. There are 1 year and 3 year vaccines available.

Distemper – A vaccination to protect your dog from several diseases – distemper, hepatitis, adenovirus 2, parvo virus and parainfluenza. There are 1 year and 3 year vaccines available.

Bordetella – A vaccination given to dogs to prevent tracheobronchitis (Kennel Cough) which is caused by a highly contagious, airborne, combination of a virus and bacteria, causing a dry, hacking cough that can persist for six or more weeks. This is an annual vaccine.

Canine Influenza Virus – Canine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease that has affected thousands of dogs in the United States. Because CIV is a relatively new virus, most dogs have not been exposed to it before. Dogs of any age, breed and vaccine status are susceptible to this infection. This is an annual vaccine.

Highly Recommended Canine Vaccines

Leptosporosis – Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease which can affect many animals. It is rare in cats, but more common in dogs. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be passed from animals to humans. Leptospira bacteria are shed in the urine of infected animals, though they can be found in other body fluids and tissues. Dogs can become infected by exposure to contaminated water (both through ingestion or contact with mucous membranes or broken skin), exposure to urine from an infected animal (e.g. contaminated food, bedding, soil, etc.), bite wounds, and ingestion of tissues from infected animals. This is an annual vaccine.

Lyme – Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi and is spread by ticks. Ticks become infected with the bacteria by feeding on infected mice or other small animals. When an infected tick bites other animals, it can transmit the bacteria to these animals. Lyme disease is transmitted by the deer tick (black legged tick) and a small group of other closely related ticks. The deer tick is small and may bite animals and people without being detected. This is an annual vaccine.

Required Feline Vaccines

Rabies – A vaccination that is required by state government for both dogs and cats. Rabies is a viral disease that causes acute encephalitis in warm blooded animals. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. There are 1 year and 3 year vaccines available.

FVRCP – The feline distemper virus is similar to the canine parvovirus and causes a respiratory infection in cats that is followed by a gastrointestinal infection. The virus will replicate in the cat’s respiratory system through the tissues in the lymph nodes. The virus can also affect a cat’s central nervous system and eyes. A cat that has contracted the distemper virus will quickly become symptomatic after exposure. This is an annual vaccine.

Highly Recommended Feline Vaccines

Leukemia – Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is the leading viral killer of cats. The virus is spread from cat-to-cat through bite wounds, through casual contact with infected cats, and from an infected mother cat to her kittens. The individuals most at risk of infection are outdoor cats, indoor/outdoor cats, and cats exposed to such individuals. Cats living in households with FeLV-infected cats or with cats of unknown infection status are also at risk. Indoor-only cats with no exposure to potentially infected cats are extremely unlikely to become infected. FeLV vaccines are recommended for all cats at risk of exposure to the virus. This is an annual vaccine.

Please feel free to contact us at Falls Road Veterinary Hospital with any questions or concerns.